Paula Toothaker

Bangor - Paula Jean Toothaker, 68, died July 6, 2015 at a local nursing facility. She was born February 21, 1947 in Bangor the daughter of Llewellyn B. and Pauline G. (Craven) Toothaker. After her graduation from Bangor High School, Paula served in the US Army from 1965-68 primarily at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where she attained the rank of Sergeant and served as a Communications Specialist. While in the military, she was part of the Women's Traveling Volleyball Team and sometimes danced at Base recreational events as a Go-Go dancer! After leaving the military, Paula worked in telecommunications in both New Hampshire and Maine for various companies, including Western Union, New England Telephone, AT&T and Verizon Communications. She retired in 2005. She had been very active in the Pioneers, a volunteer network within the communications industry. Paula then devoted her time to researching the genealogy of the Toothaker and Craven families and traveled throughout Maine visiting libraries and old graveyards and collecting a vast amount of information on her family going back hundreds of years. Her extensive collection of genealogy books will be donated to the University of Maine. Paula was an avid reader, especially of history and biography and amassed a large stamp collection which she started as a child. She was particularly fond of cats and owned several over the years, her favorite being MacArthur (named after the general), who attained a weight of 20 pounds. Paula was predeceased by mother Pauline. She is survived by her father, Llewellyn B. Toothaker, of Bangor; a sister, Dr. Angela M. Perron, of Phippsburg; a brother Dr. John L. Toothaker and wife, Kristina M. of Newport; a niece, Kelley Dow, of Waterville. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2015, at the Hampden Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden where funeral services will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Clayton Blackstone, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Family Reception Rooms of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, following the funeral. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com